Does North Carolina Require Front License Plates?

Does North Carolina require a front license plate? What is the car theft rate in North Carolina? We have the answers to these questions and more.
Written by David Ghanizadeh-Khoob
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
North Carolina does not require front license plates. North Carolina drivers must renew their registration every year to avoid penalties for driving without a valid plate.
If you are moving to North Carolina or registering a vehicle for the first time, then you’ll want to know about the registration process and license plate requirements.
We’ll walk you through the essential information about North Carolina license plate requirements—and give you some tips for finding the best rates on
car insurance in North Carolina
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Does North Carolina require front license plates?

No. North Carolina is one of the 19 states that only require rear license plates. 
North Carolina once required front plates, but in 1951 the general assembly amended
G.S. 20-36
to allow the DMV to issue only rear plates in the event of a metal shortage. That amendment was later changed again to only ever require the issue of a rear plate, regardless of the availability of metal.

Does this apply to specialty plates too?

Yes, even if you have a specialty plate you are only required to have a rear license plate. The same applies to specialty vehicles, like custom vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, and antique vehicles.

Penalties for not abiding by license plate laws

Although you are not required to have a front plate in North Carolina, there are still license plate laws and standards that you must follow.
For one, your rear license plate must, of course, have a valid registration number displayed. Your license plate must also be kept clean enough to be readable, and you cannot disguise, alter or conceal your plate number. 
Violation of these license plate-related laws can result in a fine. Using a plate frame that partially conceals your license plate can carry a fine of up to $100, for example. Failing to display a license plate can carry a fine of up to $250.

Which other US states do not require a front license plate?

There are plenty of other states that do not require a license plate. Here is the full list of all 19 states that only require rear plates:
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Kansas 
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma 
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • West Virginia

Why North Carolina doesn’t require a front license plate

The main argument for issuing only one license plate is that it uses fewer resources. 
There may be some benefits to having a front plate, like making your car easier to identify, particularly by traffic cameras. A common argument for two license plates is that this improved identification increases the odds of collecting tolls and parking fees when automated systems are used.
Another major argument for front plates is that they can help make it easier for police to identify stolen vehicles. Perhaps another reason North Carolina doesn’t require front plates is because of it’s relatively low rates of car theft.
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Which states have the highest rate of car theft?

According to data from
Statista
, North Carolina ranks 32nd for car thefts per capita with a theft rate of 193.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. North Carolina ranks just below Iowa and Mississippi on this list.
193.6 thefts per 100,000 people might still seem like a lot of car thefts, but it's well below the national average of 246. Of course, motor vehicle theft rates vary from palace to place. Here are the car theft rates per 100,000 people in some of the major metropolitan areas in North Carolina:
Even though car insurance rates in North Carolina are relatively low, you should still take some precautions to protect your vehicle, like installing security systems, making sure your license plates are clearly displayed, and adding
comprehensive coverage
to your insurance policy.

How to find cheap car insurance in North Carolina

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